£80,000 loan offers job and housing boost for Lisburn

Harry McDaid, Chief Executive of UCIT with Adrian Bird, Trust Director for The Resurgam Community Development Trust and Jason Milliken one of the trainees from Lisburn Community Self Build, Resurgam�s Social Enterprise which has built 15 houses and one community centre over recent years

Published:14:29Friday 10 April 2015

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A £80,000 loan from the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) is to be used to purchase housing stock for refurbishment and provide employment and training opportunities for people in Lisburn.

The loan has gone to Resurgam Community Development Trust, which is a charitable organisation driving community, youth, social and economic development in Lisburn through the operation of a number of social enterprises.

These include Premier Taxi Company, Laganview Enterprise Centre, Lisburn Community Inns, New Horizons Credit Union and Lisburn Community Self Build.

In 2010 one of Resurgam’s social enterprises – Lisburn Community Self Build - received a £165,000 loan from UCIT to build four semi-detached houses which were then sold on to Connswater Housing.

The company provides construction training and jobs to young people while also contributing to social housing in an area of high demand.

Adrian Bird, Trust Director for The Resurgam Community Development Trust said: “There are people in the area struggling for employment, especially the young. We are giving them an opportunity to learn the skills they will need to find a job.

“For us it is all about jobs and we have already created over 100 jobs across our ten enterprises, contributing £1.7m in salaries to the local economy. All profits raised through the business are reinvested back into the company.”

He continued: “UCIT have been extremely supportive of our work and the second loan secured from them is a sign of confidence in our latest project.”

Harry McDaid, Chief Executive of UCIT said: “With recent budget cuts and funding for apprenticeships being reduced, Resurgam is offering an alternative way for people to find employment.”

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